ARTICLES ABOUT INSPECTIONS BY DATE - PAGE 4

When a real estate deal is in the offing, it's typical for the buyer to pay for an inspection. It's a good way to avoid buying a pig in a poke - to make sure that potentially serious flaws in the house don't escape notice. But there are reasons for sellers to arrange inspections, too. While it's not usual for a homeowner to do so unless a sale is under consideration, those who expect to put a house on the market soon may also be customers for certified home inspections. BEYOND WHAT THE LENDER DEMANDS A lender usually won't require a complete house inspection, according to Chris Raad, an associate broker at Harvey Raad Realtors, Allentown.

If you're looking to open a tattoo parlor in Easton, it'll cost you double next year. The initial application fee for tattooing, body art and piercing is rising from $250 to $500 in 2013, and annual inspections will cost $300 instead of $200, according to a proposed overhaul of most of the city's fees for inspections and other services. The sweeping changes reflect the true cost of providing inspections, processing applications and other work, according to Becky Bradley, Easton's director of planning.

South Whitehall Township is conducting bacteria testing on a newly completed water line on Briarcliff Rd., which was finished Oct. 9. Water tests must pass the State Department of Health inspection before full water service can be restored. Water service is expected to resume in Dec. For information, call Jerry Charvala at 610-398-0407.

The Lehigh Township 2013 Budget is now available for public inspection at the Municipal Office, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Mon. through Fri. The budget proposes raising property taxes by 0.52 mill. Supervisors will consider adopting the budget at the Dec. 13 meeting. For information, visit http://www.lehightownship.webs.com .

Members of the East Allen Fire Department recently returned from a trip to Pierce Manufacturing in Appleton, Wisconsin for a final inspection of a replacement vehicle. The new Tower 4621 has been completed and will replace a 1993 Pierce Arrow Ladder Truck which was recently sold. The new truck is a 2012 – 95' mid-mount platform on an Arrow XT Chassis with a 2000 gallon per minute pump. It also has a 300-gallon water tank.

PennDOT announced a lane restriction will be enforced on Route 33 North between Route 512 and Henry Road in Plainfield Township, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 20, for bridge inspection. Motorists should use caution and expect delays while traveling through the work zone.

PennDOT announced a lane restriction will be enforced on Interstate 78 between Exit 29 (Route 61) and Exit 30 (Hamburg) in Hamburg, 9 a.m. to noon (westbound) and noon to 3 p.m. (eastbound) Friday, Nov. 16, for bridge inspection. Motorists should use caution and expect delays while traveling through the work zone.

Single lane closures are scheduled on Interstate 476 between the Interstate 76 and Germantown Pike interchanges in Montgomery County 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday (Nov. 5-8) for bridge deck inspections, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation announced. I-476's northbound right lane will be closed on Monday (Nov. 5) and left lane Tuesday (Nov. 6). Southbound I-476's right lane will be closed on Wednesday (Nov. 7) and left lane Thursday (Nov. 8). Motorists are advised to expect slowdowns and allow additional time for travel on this part of I-476 during this rolling operation.

The Allentown School District hired an exterminator to inspect for fleas Friday at Sheridan Elementary School. Fleas were found in two classrooms earlier this month, district Facilities Director Bob Sperling said. Per state guidelines, he said, parents were given 72 hours' notice on Oct. 3 that pesticides would be used in the rooms, and children and teachers would be moved to other parts of the building for several days. Maintenance staff also has been shampooing and vacuuming the carpets nightly as a precaution, he said.